Hasidic Judaism

The Levs are Hasidic Jews who observe the Torah as the word of God, also referred to in the book as the Master of the Universe. Hasidic Jews pray often, before eating, in the morning, at night before sleep, and even before they wash their hands. Asher’s father works on behalf of the Ladover Jews, opening yeshivas throughout Europe and working to rescue Jews being persecuted in Russia.

The book has numerous references to the Hasidim way of life, and Asher lives in a tightly knit community of Ladover Jews in Brooklyn, all ruled by the same Rebbe and all attending the same yeshiva for their schooling, where they study the Torah. For that reason, Asher’s interest in art and his unwillingness to move to Vienna with his father and mother becomes an issue for many, including the Rebbe, the mashpia, and even his...